Physical Education

Course Offerings

All students at WPI are required to take four 1/12 units in Physical Education. Many students choose to satisfy this requirement by participating in varsity sports or club sports, but the courses listed below are also available.
For official information on the physical education requirement as well as the course offerings at WPI, please visit the Undergraduate Catalog.

To register for the courses listed below, as well as for varsity and club sports, students should consult with the Registrar's Office.

PE 1002. Intro to Volleyball & Squash .

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

Introduction to the sports through skill development and play.

PE 1006. WELLNESS.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

Introductory course designed to acquaint students with knowledge and skills necessary to make choices that foster health and well-being.

PE 1007. BASIC WATER SAFETY.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

For the intermediate to advanced swimmer only. Students will learn about water recreational activities and how to remain safe while participating in them.

Opportunity to learn the necessary means for safety in/near water and basic rescue techniques.

PE 1008. ROWING FOR FITNESS.

Cat. I

This course will teach basic rowing training techniques and principles with the goal for students to develop and implement an individualized conditioning program for themselves. All classes will be conducted on-campus through the use of rowing machines located in the Sports and Recreation Center.

PE 1009. WALKING FOR FITNESS.

Cat. I

This course will teach basic walking techniques and principles with the goal for students to develop and implement an individualized conditioning program for themselves.

PE 1011. TOUCH FOOTBALL.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

Introduction to basic rules and individual/team skill development with practical application through game competition.

PE 1012. BASKETBALL.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

Introduction to basic rules and individual/team skill development with practical application through game competition.

PE 1013. SOFTBALL.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

Introduction to basic rules and individual/team skill development with practical application through game competition.

PE 1015. Badminton & Table Tennis.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

Instruction will focus on basic strokes and techniques. Rules, strategy and play will be integrated as students’ skills develop.

PE 1016. Squash & Racquetba ll.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

Instruction will focus on basic strokes and techniques. Rules, strategy and play will be integrated as students’ skills develop.

PE 1017. Beginning Swimming.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

For the non-swimmer. Students will receive instruction in basic survival skills and the primary techniques to learn to swim safely.

PE 1018. CO-ED VOLLEYBALL.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

Introduction to basic rules and individual/team skill development with practical application through game competition.

PE 1019. SOCCER.

Cat. I

Introduction to basic rules and individual/team skill development with practical application through game competition.

PE 1054. Plyometrics.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

This course will teach the use of body weight to develop personal strength and conditioning.

PE 1055. PHYSICAL CONDITIONING.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

This course will teach basic strength training principles and techniques. Students will develop and implement an individualized conditioning program.

PE 1059. WEIGHT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

This introductory course is designed to acquaint women with circuit training and free weight programs.

PE 1070. LEISURE EDUCATION: REDEFINING SOCIAL NORMS.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

Introductory course designed to explore various leisure education alternatives.

PE 1077. Swimming for Fitness.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

For the intermediate to advanced swimmer. This class is geared toward swimming for fitness purposes. Workouts will be administered each class period with students developing the knowledge to create workouts for themselves.

PE 1078. AQUATIC CONDITIONING.

Cat. I

This course will teach aquatic conditioning (aerobics, walking, strength and interval training) with the goal for students to develop and implement an individualized aquatic conditioning program for themselves. For the intermediate and advanced swimmer. All classes will be conducted on-campus through the use of the pool located in the Sports and Recreation Center.

PE 1099. HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES.

Cat. I (1/12 unit)

In each term, specific PE courses are offered to provide a variety of wellness, dance and healthy alternatives to traditional PE sport-based classes. The specific courses are subject to change on a yearly basis in order to provide flexibility in the PE offerings based upon the latest trends in wellness and dance. The focus of these classes is more on individual fitness, wellness and education, with instruction provided to all students in the classes.

Club Sports Program (PE 1200-series)

THE CLUB SPORTS PROGRAM (PE 1200-series)

The club sports program involves activities in various sports and wellness that are organized and recognized by the Student Government Association as Class II organizations and open to any undergraduate student (more information regarding Club Sports can be found at wpi.edu/+techsync). Students who are properly registered in advance for the club activity in their interest area and who meet the established criteria for participation by the club as well as by PERA department policy, may be eligible for PE course credit. Practice and/or competition times will vary but are generally in the evenings and weekends. Participating students may incur additional fees for equipment, travel, and/or uniforms.

Varsity athletics program (PE 2000-series)The WPI varsity athletics program is a highly involved and competitive program offered in 18 intercollegiate sports. Participants in these activities are selected by the head coach and must have prior approval to register. Practices are held daily in the evenings with contests mid-week and weekends for a period of 18/19 weeks. Every effort is made to avoid conflicts withacademic activities and competitions are generally scheduled against schools with similar standards and objectives.